About Sir Vaclav
Good men don't need rules. Today is not the day to find out why I have so many of them.
-The Doctor, Doctor Who, A good man goes to war.
Aduard Vaklav
Vaklav is a fallen Paladin, returned from the dead. He became a Paladin of Iomedae when 15, left Usatalav and joined the second crusade against the Worldwound in 4638. (87) He trained while the war raged, mostly working in defensive lines, but towards the end of the war a desperate need for fresh troops saw him moved to the front line, and battlefield promotions saw him leading a calvary unit. After the war he settled into the constant low level warfare and inquisitons of the Worldwound Garrisons. He fell in love with Rhyla, a paladin of Erastil. Rhyla became pregnant and they talked of raising a child. When Rhyla was taken by demons for torture and conversion he broke his code to torture her location out of a human cultist.
He successfully rescued Rhyla - once freed her paladin abilities saw them safely away. Offered atonement he was unable to accept as he did not regret his actions. He was officially marked as fallen.
Rhyla resigned her comission and returned with Vaklav to her home village in 4658. Aduard converted to Erastil and they were married. Vaklav served as a soldier on the Ustalav-Belzken border till 4675, then retired to a farm. Rhyla and Vaklav had four children and twelve grandchildren when Vaklav died in an orc attack in 4698.
A druid of Erastil reincarnated Vaklav, who helped stop the orc attack. Now in a healthy body younger than his youngest child Vaklav slowly settled into a new place in the village.
In 4708 four of his grandchildren headed off to fight the Worldwound. Vaklav stayed with invalid Rhyla. All four grandchildren were killed in the same pointless battle. The bodies were never recovered but the youngest’s shield was returned to the family in 4709. The soldier returning the shield was questioned by Vaklav and revealed the grandchildren’s officer had gotten them killed through incompetence but survived and even been promoted himself. Fuming he sought justice through his old contacts, but discovered he was simply too old to be remembered by the current leadership.
Knowing he was conflicted about what to do and feeling her mind slipping away, Rhyla told him. “I prayed for one more day with you, and I was given forty years. Go back. Seek justice. Fight the war. I will see you in this life or the next.”
Equipping himself with what he could, and carrying the shield with his grandchild’s insignia, Vaklav went back to the war he had left 52 years ago.
To choose a different race from the core rule book – explain whether your character is a native Mendevian, or why they’ve come north into danger.
Human. Here to fight the war right, bring honour to his grandchild’s shield, and seek justice - no retribution - against the man who got his grandchildren killed.
To be more powerful (20 point buy) – tell me of your character’s personality and state which aspect of the Four Temperament Ensemble is closest to your character's outlook.
Leukine. Aduard tries to avoid extremes of emotions “Emotions are like a powerful horse - they’ll carry you further than you dreamed if you guide them, and dump you on the ground if you don’t”. He’s had a long and eventuful life, and he’s learned to moderate his responses. “Show a man your emotions and you show him your reigns.” He still feels emotion but he believes in controlling it when he’s acting in his military persona. When at home, away from the war - something not likely to happen - he tends towards Sanguine. When his family are in danger he tends towards Choleric. Religion sometimes berings out his early, Melancholic side.
To further hone your strength (25 point buy) – describe a few other tropes that apply to your character, and whether you play them straight or subvert them.
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/AFatherToHisMen: His primary trope. A good commander who takes a fatherly (or more grandfatherly) interest in his troops. Very Erastil, but with less sexism.
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/OldSoldier: He might be reincarnated but he’s a very, very old soldier. Reincarnation lost him some skills, but he is still very competent.
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SympatheticMurderBackstory: More sympathetic torture backstory. This is important because he chose to walk away from his code to save the woman he loved. To do this he tortured a cultist. He can’t atone because he’d do it again. He knows it is a stain on his soul and regrets it was there, but he would still do it to save Rhyla.
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheStoic: “When the boss panics, everyone panics”. He’ll do his best to keep his fear and pain understated.
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TooHappyToLive subverted: He has an amazing home life in a wonderful village where everyone is happy.
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HeroicSafeMode subverted: He understands the necessity to remain human.
To choose one’s class – state what you have to offer the crusade (imagine you were responding to a recruiter).
His head cocks slightly as he replies calmnly “What do I have to offer? Son, I’ve been a soldier for 37 years. I’ve led men, in the Worldwound, in a crusade. I’ve fought demons. I know tactics, strategy and logistics. I have more experience than damn near any human soldier, and I’ve got it in a body that hasn’t hit middle age. Give me a group of misfits and I’ll turn them into a unit. Give me a bunch of talented misfits and I’ll turn them into heroes.” a quirk at the side of his mouth might have been a smile “Also, I have my own horse and armour and you can stop paying my pension.”
To be a Cavalier / Cleric / Inquisitor / Paladin – ensure that you tie in your character’s personality and conduct to your code or deific edicts.
Code: Order of the Dragon. Edicts: The cavalier must remain loyal to his allies and must always work to further the aims of the group. He must protect his allies from harm and defend their honor when called into doubt.
As a military man he understands he has a certain loyalty to his forces, needs to obey the orders of his commanders and, most importantly, his troops are his children. He eats after they eat. He sleeps after they sleep. “If I expect them to follow me into hell, they have to expect I’ll get them out again.”
To gain belongings (average wealth for your character class) –tell me what your character looks like, and how they comport themselves.
Around thirty years old, but walks carefully and looks older somehow. His equipment may not look the greatest, and it may have seen some wear, but it is carefully maintained and every piece is chosen to do its job well.
Vaclav talks a little like an older man in a western (Son, damn, ain’t, etc). Vaclav is polite to people by default. Anything other than generic politeness means he likes you. If he doesn’t like you he’ll avoid you, sabotage you or kill you. Exception is when lecturing someone, at which point he will tend to good naturedly patronise them a bit. He knows he’s not the best at fast talking, and he’ll get a party face to do that if needed.
Vaclav is all about delegation.
To be richer still (max wealth for your character class) – describe one item you bear that was inherited from someone important to you, and how it came to be yours.
Vaclav’s grandchild Alexandryu had a shield designed when he went off to war. He spent a years wages on it. It is the only thing of Vaclav’s grandchildren to survive the war. Vaclav uses its insignia so to bring honour to the name of the man who didn’t have a chance to gain some of his own.
To have skills borne of experience (two traits) – weave the skills into the background that shapes your character.
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/traits/faith-traits/reincarnated. He’s been reincarnated - see background. While a chance to be young again is definitely a boon he’s still in love with a woman now far his senior.
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/traits/regional-traits/demon-slayer. Fought demons in the second cursade.
To gain the bonus trait Channel Divinity below – state your patron deity and how you venerate them in daily life.
Not going to qualify. Patron deity is sort of Erastil, but Erastil isn’t a great fit. Vaclav does honour his committment to Erastil, but doesn’t really venerate him. As time has gone on, however, he has more and more become like Erastil. “Man spending all day on his knees whippin’ himself for his god - well, seems to me he’d be better off out in the world doing the things his god thinks needs doin’.”
Mechanics
Human Cavalier (Tactician) 1
Str 16 (10) +2 racial = 18
Dex 14 (5)
Con 13 (3)
Int 12 (2)
Wis 12(2)
Cha 12 (2)
BAB +1
Fort +3
Ref +2
Will+1
HP: 11
Init +2
Feats: Combat Reflexes, Bodyguard, Shake it Off
Skills: (4 +1 favoured +1 int) Diplomacy +5, Handle Animal +5, Profesion (Soldier) +5, Ride +6, Perception +5, Survival +5
Equipment 300 gp
Cavalier’s Kit 23
Heavy Shield, Wooden 7
Lance 10
Cold Iron Cestus 10
Hide barding 60
Chainmail 150
Gold 40
